I spent just $180 for a coach ticket on a 7-hour red-eye flight to Europe. I'd book the same budget airline again, but I wouldn't go overnight.

Joey HaddenJun 28, 2024, 00:34 IST

Business Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Airlines red-eye flight from New York City to Berlin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took a red-eye flight from NYC to Berlin to start a two-week trip to Europe in October 2022.
For $180, I flew through the night with Norse Atlantic Airways and had a row of seats to myself.

In October 2022, I flew from my home in NYC to Berlin for a two-week train trip through Europe.

When booking air travel, I usually choose the cheapest nonstop flight leaving from my local airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). For this trip, that option was an eight-hour red-eye flight on an airline I'd never heard of, Norse Atlantic Airways.

Norse Atlantic Airways is a new budget airline that started flying in 2022 with nonstop trips from the US to Germany, Norway, the UK, France, and Italy, according to its website.

I booked the lowest tier of ticket — economy light, which included a seat and space to store a personal item for $88. I also paid $75 to select my window seat in advance and a $20 check-in fee at the airport, for a grand total of $183.

I like how domestic red-eye flights give me an extra day at my destination, but I'd never taken one internationally. And I found that the long-haul flight through the night left me exhausted at the beginning of my trip. To me, it wasn't worth the day I saved.

I arrived at JFK at 9:30 p.m. for my 12:30 a.m. flight.

The author checks in at JFK airport.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On a late Sunday evening, the terminal at JFK felt quite empty.

Inside the author's terminal at JFK.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My flight began boarding at 11:30 p.m.

Travelers board the aircraft to Berlin in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The flight's seating arrangement was three columns with three seats in each row.

People board the Norse aircraft in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A representative from Norse told BI that economy light seats are 17.2 inches wide with a 3-inch recline.

The author's seat on the Norse flight.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought I had enough legroom even with my backpack shoved underneath the seat.

The author's legroom on the flight.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There was an entertainment screen with movies, TV shows, and information about my flight in front of me.

The screens on the seat back chair.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

As the plane prepared for takeoff, I was thrilled that I had a whole row to myself.

The author's row of seats on the flight.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My seat back pocket contained a menu of amenities, including earbuds, blankets, neck pillows, and sleep masks, although I didn't buy any.

In-flight menu items.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After takeoff, the plane was quiet and dimly lit. But I hardly ever sleep well on planes, and this was no exception.

The flight at night.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At one point in the night, I went to the bathroom and found it cleaner than most aircraft bathrooms I've been in.

The bathroom on the Norse aircraft.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In the morning, flight attendants came around with food and beverage service. So I looked at the menu in my seat back pocket.

In-flight service and menu.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I landed in Berlin nearly an hour earlier than scheduled, so I was only in the air for seven hours.

The author's aircraft arrives in Berlin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Despite feeling tired, as I would after any red-eye flight, I was impressed by the budget airline and would definitely book with Norse again.

The author on the runway in Berlin.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once in Berlin, I still had a two-hour train journey to my Airbnb outside the city, and I could barely keep my eyes open.

The author takes trains from Berlin to her Airbnb.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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